The Joe Marler–Samson Lee ‘gypsy boy’ saga could finally be resolved on Tuesday in what has been one of rugby’s most high-profile disciplinary issues of modern times.

It will only have taken the little matter of 24 days to come to a head following England’s 25-21 victory over Wales on March 12.

Since then there has been condemnation, apologies, accusations, anger, surprise and ‘requests for further information’.

Marler has been at the heart of a debate that has divided opinion and provoked much commentary in the newspapers, television and social media with one of the debates raging about whether the comments were indeed racist.

With no sanctions delivered from the Six Nations disciplinary committee, Marler was free to play his part in England’s Grand Slam finale against France in Paris, seven days after the Wales win.

But Marler will face possible consequences for his words today at a World Rugby disciplinary hearing, with the game’s global governing body having decided the Harlequins prop has a case to answer.

Here we chart what exactly has happened in the last few weeks in an ongoing furore that has damaged rugby’s reputation.

So what actually happened?

Ten minutes into the England-Wales game Joe Marler and Samson Lee were involved in a scuffle after the hosts were awarded a penalty.

The words ‘hey gypsy boy’ were picked up on the microphone and provoked an initial public outcry on social media.

What did the Six Nations do about it?

The following day, Six Nations chiefs confirmed they were looking into the incident.

Three days later they announced they had accepted that Marler’s comments to Lee were made in the heat of the moment, no disciplinary action would be taken and Marler was free to play in the Grand Slam game against France.

No details were given, despite repeated requests, about who was on the disciplinary panel and which senior Six Nations officials made the call to not sanction Marler.

What was England’s reaction to the incident?

They have been quite consistent in believing an apology from Marler and a public rebuke should have signalled the end of the matter.

Less than 24 hours after the incident, and after realising it was going to be an issue, the Rugby Football Union issued an apology.

They declared Marler had said sorry to Lee for his comments at half-time and England coach Eddie Jones had reminded him of his responsibilities as an international player.

Three days after they had completed the Grand Slam, RFU chief executive Ian Ritchie said: “As far as Joe’s concerned, what he said was entirely inappropriate, he recognised that, he apologised very quickly and has apologised publicly since then.

Gatland’s comments were widely condemned and the following day he issued an apology within a WRU statement which also said it didn’t condone any form of racism.

In that same statement Lee himself spoke for the first time saying he had thought it was just banter and had accepted Marler’s apology.

When the Six Nations announced it was not going to sanction Marler’s comments, the WRU issued a statement less than 24 hours later claiming they were surprised at the verdict and would be following it up with the Six Nations.

Those pronouncements were made at the same time as Jones was naming his England team to face France in a press conference where he made his ‘Arthur or Martha’ comments.

Jones also accused Wales of trying to derail England’s Grand Slam bid with the Red Rose set to face France two days in a game where Marler was named as a replacement.

What has World Rugby’s position been?

Initially they were reluctant to comment until the matter had been dealt with by Six Nations bosses.

But a day after it was announced Marler would face no sanction said they were seeking further information from the Six Nations on how they reached their verdict.

Six days later, World Rugby bosses criticised the way Six Nations chiefs handled the issue and confirmed Marler would have to face a disciplinary hearing in front of them as there had been ‘an absence of a process’.

That hearing date was later set for April 5 in London. The case will be heard by an independent judicial committee, assembled by the independent judicial chairman in accordance with World Rugby regulation 18.

So, are gypsies a race?

The courts control who is categorised as an ethnic group, meaning gypsies and travellers who have not been recognised as ethnic groups by the courts are not currently protected against race discrimination under the Equality Act.

The travelling community includes Romany gypsies, Irish travellers, Scottish gypsies and travellers and Welsh gypsies and travellers, as well as a number of other groups.

So was the comment offensive?

Many thought so.

Shay Clipson, who is the founder of the National Alliance of the Gypsy, Traveller and Roma women and originally from Merthyr Tydfil, summed up what many believed: “They really must suspend Marler and the suspension must be specific to this offence,” she said.

Gavin Connor, who set up the Kick Racism Out of Rugby in 2012, said: “Many people see rugby as this very middle-class pursuit and therefore they just don’t believe incidents of racism can happen.

“I think there needs to be much more education and we need to talk about the things we can put in place to stop this. I feel to some extent there has been an element of pushing it under the carpet.”

Joe Marler could face punishment over the incident

Wasn’t there even talk of politicians being involved?

Welsh MPs across the political divide were adamant strong action needed to be taken against Marler.

Labour’s Kevin Brennan (Cardiff West) said he had already mentioned the matter in passing to Jesse Norman, chairman of the Culture Media and Sport committee.

“It would be entirely legitimate for it to be discussed by the committee as it’s such a high profile case that does raise issues for inclusiveness in sport,” said Mr Brennan.

“Rugby had recently made such great strides in accepting Gareth Thomas coming out, and Nigel Owens.

“Sadly, what’s happened with this represents a backward step in my mind.”

What was the reaction to World Rugby’s decision to hold a hearing?

English players and club chiefs weren’t happy and thought the matter should have been put to bed.

England players’ union chief Damian Hopley put out a ranting statement saying: “Now World Rugby hearing date has finally been set, over three weeks since the matter was concluded by the Six Nations, it is important to place on the record how we have watched the events around this ongoing disciplinary process unfold in a state of disbelief.

James Haskell (Image: : Action Images / Andrew Boyers Livepic)

“As people throughout the game know, Joe is no racist. He made a comment when provoked and is now being hung out to dry in this excruciating media witch hunt whilst World Rugby have intervened against the RFU and the Six Nations.”

Marler’s England team-mate James Haskell added: “I think the whole thing is a load of nonsense and completely boring.

“I don’t understand why everyone is still banging on about it. It's trial by social media.”

Marler’s Harlequins Irish boss Conor O’Shea said: “He (Marler) is not in any way, shape or form racist

“He is an edgy person, he made a mistake and he apologised.

“Does he know that he has got a responsibility? Of course he does. Do we accept it? Of course we don’t, but some of the vitriol that has been directed to him is tough for a 25-year old to take and he has to take it on the chin.”

Conor O'Shea, Director of Rugby for Harlequins (Image: Getty Images)

What does Samson Lee think?

He has not spoken publicly about the incident but did issue a statement four days after the incident after Warren Gatland’s banter remark and subsequent apology.

He said: “I would like to explain my point of view. I stand beside Warren. I personally believe the comments to have been intended as banter and accepted Joe’s apology on Saturday.

“Warren is fiercely protective of the team and his comments were made based on conversations with me and with the intention of deflecting attention away from me.”

In the Wales match programme against Italy seven days after the England encounter, there was an article with Lee written before the Marler incident where the Wales prop talked about his upbringing.

“There aren’t many travellers who play rugby,” said Lee.

“Most of the family take up boxing. I’m the first traveller to play international rugby and I’m very proud of that.

“I’ve got about 60 cousins and 12 or more come to see me playing for Scarlets or Wales. The younger are ones are starting to take more of an interest in rugby, rather than boxing."

So what punishment could Marler expect if found guilty?

It’s hard to predict because there is no real precedent for this.

It has been reported that verbal abuse of a player, based on where they come from, can carry a minimum punishment of a four-week suspension.

Wales coach Warren Gatland was backed by Samson Lee

But Marler will be tried under World Rugby Regulation 20 which includes a misconduct section covering ‘acts or statements that are, or conduct, that is discriminating by reason of religion, race, sexual orientation, disability, colour or national or ethnic origin.’

There are no minimum or maximum lengths of penalty if found guilty included in the World Rugby handbook. That decision would be down to the three-man disciplinary panel. There is also a right of appeal.

But the prolonged nature of this saga meant Marler was able to play in the Grand Slam finale.

Any other games he would miss this season would be for his club Harlequins up until May, while there is an England summer tour to Australia looming on the horizon in June.